A summary of an op-ed from the New York Times... "The Underlying Tragedy"
NATURAL DISASTER?
-NO. It's a story about poorly constructed buildings, bad infrastructure and terrible public services.
WHY SUFFERING?
-We don't know how to use aid to reduce poverty. There's no policy levers, no proven way to reduce corruption. Making growth happen is beyond our control.
-micro-aid (which is vital) is insufficient. Even a blizzard of these efforts does not add up to comprehensive change.
FUNDAMENTAL REASON?
-Haiti is suffering from a complex web of progress-resistant cultural influences (especially the influence of the voodoo religion - spreading the message that life is capricious and planning futile - which creates a high level of social mistrust.
-We need to put culture at the center of efforts to tackle poverty.
(Situations seem to be problematic because Haiti has a history of oppression, slavery and colonialism. However, there are many other countries who are doing well despite the same environment: Barbados, Dominican Republic, the D.R., etc.)
HOW TO SOLVE?
-Promote locally led paternalism
-Find self-confident local leaders who can create "No Excuses" countercultures
-Create a culture that promotes "you are a leader, we all are leaders" so that every citizen can have a sense of ownership too boost their own nations.
* Cultural change is difficult but they do change after major traumas.... this earthquake is certainly a trauma.
Once a country is equipped with a form of pro-developmental culture, I believe it is a matter of timing for the countries to leap into economic prosperity.
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